CK12 Earth Science

• Wind power uses the energy of moving air to turn turbines.


• Biomass energy uses renewable materials like wood or grains to produce energy.


• Geothermal energy uses heat from deep within the earth to heat homes or produce
  steam that turns turbines.

Review Questions

1. If you turn on the burner on a gas stove under a pan of cold water, energy moves from
   the burner to the pan of water. What is this energy called? How does this energy
   move?


2. What are some ways that we can use solar power?


3. If you burn wood in a fireplace, which type of energy resource are you using?


4. Which form of energy is an important factor in making electricity from water power?


5. When the air moves around as wind, it carries heat from warmer areas to cooler areas.
   What is this movement of heat called?


6. Most of the energy that travels from the sun to the Earth arrives in the form of visible
   light. What is this movement of energy called?


7. Explain how mirrors can be useful in some solar energy plants.


8. Explain how wind power uses kinetic energy.

Further Reading / Supplemental Links

• Cleveland, Cutler, ”Energy Transitions Past and Future.” Encyclopedia of Earth, 2007.
  Available on the Web at:


• http://www.eoearth.org/article/Energy_transitions_past_and_future


• http://www.earthportal.org/

Vocabulary

conduction The process in which energy moves through matter as heat, moving from an
area of higher temperature to an area of lower temperature.

convection The movement of heat in an air current from a warmer space to a cooler space.

radiation The movement of energy through empty space.

Points to Consider

• What areas do you think would be best for using solar energy?